Uprising Day: 50th Anniversary Event on March 7th, 2009

On the 10th of March, 2008 the Tibet issue entered into a distinct and crucial stage. It started when some 300 monks from Drepun Monastery located on the outskirts of Lhasa began marching toward the city center. On the same day, 14 monks from Sera Monastery also protested in front of Jokhang. All of them were arrested immediately. Their courage, however, touched the heart of all the Tibetan people and lead to a series of historical uprisings that have spread throughout Tibet. Tibetan people of all ages, all walks of life, the young and the old, monks and nuns, farmers, nomads, craftsmen, and even university students across China stood up and risked their lives to partake in this protest movement.

This spirit of resistance has been handed down for half a century starting on the 10th of March in 1959. On that historic day, thousands of people protested against the Chinese military invasion of Tibet and rose up in order to protect His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 50 years have passed since that significant event. The ardent desires of tens of thousands of Tibetans, who had fought for their lives half a century ago, have been handed down to their children, but had not come to fruition until today.

Looking back at these 50 years of resistance, SFT Japan decided to hold a commemorative event to rouse public interest at home and abroad. International supporters and Tibetans will work hand in hand together towards the ultimate goal of freedom for the Tibet.

People who enjoy freedom bear responsibility, and the power as well, to change the world for the better. Thinking back over the never ending stream of blood and tears of the past half-century, lets reaffirm our commitment towards the peace and freedom that have never been totally lost from Tibet.